| |
| |
Route
Description -
Interstate 5 between Sacramento and Redding parallels
one of the greatest wildlife migration routes
in North America — the Pacific Flyway.
The highway and flyway run the length of
the Central Valley. The Sierra Nevada to the east and coastal foothills
to the west funnel migrating birds into the valley
where food and water are plentiful.
The rich Central Valley which once supported
vast oak woodlands, grasslands and marshes along
the Sacramento River now grows rice, nuts, fruits
and vegetables.
Less
than five percent of the grasslands and riparian
forests remain, but these areas support a remarkable
diversity of wildlife.
Agricultural fields also attract wildlife
so watch the fields as you travel.
|
|
|
| Sacramento
National Wildlife Refuge Complex
|
| |
|
|
| Location:
80 miles north of Sacramento; 79 miles south of Redding. 6
miles south of Willows on I5. Best
Seasons: Fall and winter
What
to See: Permanent and seasonal marshes attract
thousands of migratory waterfowl from fall through early
spring. Rich wetlands support over 265 bird species and
many types of mammals including black-tail deer, black-tail
jackrabbits, raccoon and muskrats. A visitor center,
restrooms, driving tour loop, viewing platforms, and interpretive
exhibits are available year-round.
Amount
of Time for Visit: Plan on at least two
hours to view during fall and winter. At other times
of year, wildlife viewing can be sporadic, but it is always
worth a stop for a quick drive on the tour loop to watch
for wildlife.
Other:
$$ day entry fee. Open daily, though some areas closed
to non-hunters during hunting season.
Contact:
Sacramento
National Wildlife Refuge (530) 934-2801
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information:
Visit
California
Sacramento Convention
& Visitors Bureau (916) 264-7777 |
| |
|
| Location:
98 miles north of Sacramento; 61 miles south of Redding.
9.5 miles east of I-5 on Newville Road (road 200) west
of Orland.
Best
Season: Winter and spring offer the best
viewing of waterfowl, wading birds, birds of prey and
songbirds. Spring wild flowers can be spectacular on
the hillsides.
What
to See: Several forks of Stony Creek
flow from the Coast Range to this lake set among rolling
oak woodlands, jagged lava flows, and the rock spires
of the towering basalt buttes. The Buckhorn Trail winds
through the blue oaks and is best in spring. The Big
Oak Trail meanders near Stony Creek and is best during
the dry season where permanent water attracts wildlife.
Restrooms, picnic area, camping and hiking available year-round.
Amount
of Time for Visit: Set aside a few hours
for a leisurely hike.
Contact:
U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers (530) 865-4781
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Visit
California Shasta
Cascade Wonderland Association (800)
474-2782 or (530) 365-7500
|
|
|
Lake
Red Bluff/Salmon Viewing Plaza |
|
|
|
|
| Location:
128 miles north of Sacramento; 31 miles south of Redding.
At Red Bluff, turn east on highway 36. Turn right on
Sale Lane and travel 2.4 miles to plaza.
Best
Seasons: Seasonal Lake May 16 - September 14. Peak
fish migrations occur from August/September. Bird watching
year round.
What
to See: The Sacramento
River is backed behind the Red Bluff Diversion Dam where
two fish ladders allow salmon and steelhead to migrate
above the dam. The lake and surrounding riparian forests
attract song birds and osprey in the spring and summer;
waterfowl and bald eagles in the fall and winter; and
wading birds year-round.
Amount
of Time for Visit: Restrooms, picnic area and
trails make this a good lunch or rest stop.
Contact:
Bureau
of Reclamation - Lake Red Bluff (530) 934-3316
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Visit
California Shasta
Cascade Wonderland Association (800)
474-2782 or (530) 365-7500
|
|
Paynes
Creek Wetlands |
|
|
|
|
| Location:
134 miles north of Sacramento; 25 miles south of Redding.
Take Jelly’s Ferry exit and travel east 2.6 miles
to Bend Ferry Road. Turn right for 2.6 miles to parking
area.
Best
Season: Year-round.
What
to See: This area gives you a glimpse of what
the Sacramento River once looked like prior to agricultural
development. Lush riparian forests, marshes, ponds, oak
woodlands, grasslands and vernal pools attract many species
of wildlife. Restrooms, picnic tables, walking trails
and fishing access.
Amount
of Time for Visit: Restrooms, picnic
area and trails make this a good lunch or rest stop.
Contact:
Bureau
of Land Management-Paynes Creek (530) 224-2100
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Visit
California Shasta
Cascade Wonderland Association (800)
474-2782 or (530) 365-7500
|
|
|
Battle
Creek/Coleman Hatchery |
| |
|
|
| Location:
147 miles north of Sacramento; 12 miles south of Redding.
At Anderson, take Deschutes Road exit. Turn east and
drive two miles to Ball’s Ferry Road. Turn right
and drive 3 miles to Ash Creek Road. Turn left and travel
1.2 miles to Gover Road. Turn right and drive 1.6 miles
to Coleman Fish Hatchery Road and turn right.
Best
Season: Wildlife viewing is good year-round,
but salmon viewing is the highlight in the fall.
What
to See: Battle Creek Wildlife Area and
Coleman National Fish Hatchery are located side-by-side
on Battle Creek in the foothills. King salmon and steelhead
spawn in the creek as well as at the hatchery in the fall.
Rich riparian forests, marshes, oak woodlands and grasslands
surround Battle Creek. Bald eagles and osprey nest in
the area. There are very few areas in California where
you can observe 30 pound salmon spawning in natural gravel
beds. Restrooms, picnic tables, hiking trails.
Amount
of Time: Plan at least two hours if you
want to tour the hatchery and
wildlife area.
Contact:
Hatchery phone (530)365-8622; Battle
Creek Wildlife Area (530) 225-2300
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Visit
California Shasta
Cascade Wonderland Association (800)
474-2782 or (530) 365-7500
|
|
|
Shasta
Lake — Packers Bay |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Location:
17
miles north of Redding; 107 miles south of Oregon
Border. At O’Brien exit, turn left under
freeway and return to I-5 south. Exit at Packers
Bay and turn west 1.5 miles on Packers Bay road
to boat ramp and trailhead.
Best
Season to View: Year-round wildlife
viewing; Bald eagles fall through spring. Very
popular for water sports in the summer.
What
to See: Lake Shasta offers some
of the best views of nesting ospreys and bald eagles
in the winter and spring. Trails along the lake’s
shoreline and among oaks, chaparral and heavily
forested slopes offers views of many bird and mammal
species. Restrooms, picnic area, trails, boat access.
Amount
of Time for Visit: A great location
for a one-hour lunch and leisurely hike, or spend
a half-day hiking or boating .
Other:
$$ fee area.
Contact:
U.S.D.A.
Forest Service-Shasta Trinity (530) 275-1587
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information:
Shasta
Cascade Wonderland Association (800)
474-2782 or (530) 365-7500
ShastaLake.com |
Shasta
Valley Wildlife Area |
| |
Location:
104 miles north of Redding; 20 miles south
of Oregon Border. At Yreka, take highway
3 east 8 miles to Montague. In town, take
Ball Mountain/Little Shasta Road east 1.5
miles to entrance sign.
Best
Season to View: year-round
What
to See: views of Mt. Shasta
provide a dramatic backdrop to one of the
state’s hidden wildlife gems. This
is a remote, unimproved site, but it offers
great views of birds of prey, wading and shorebirds,
waterfowl, mule deer, and uncommon mammals
such as marmots, porcupines and coyotes.
Unpaved driving routes, hiking trails, portable
toilets.
Amount
of Time to Visit: Plan on
at least two to three hours to explore this
area by foot and car.
Other:
Area closed on some days during fall waterfowl
hunting season.
Contact:
Department
of Fish & Game (530) 225-2300
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information:
Shasta
Cascade Wonderland Association (800)
474-2782 or (530) 365-7500 |
go
to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
e
